Today, Explained

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Florida man owes half a billion Feb 21, 2024

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Former President Donald Trump has now lost back-to-back civil trials in New York. Reporter Andrea Bernstein says it’s a big problem for him. Vox’s Abdallah Fayyad says it’s a big problem for everyone.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn and Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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The Panama Canal is drying up Feb 20, 2024

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A drought has dramatically reduced the Panama Canal’s capacity, leading to higher costs and big delays for US-bound goods. Reporter Mie Dahl and economics professor Sharat Ganapati deliver the shipping news.

This episode was produced by Jesse Alejandro Cottrell and Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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What dies with Alexei Navalny? Feb 16, 2024

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Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, 47, has died in an Arctic prison. The Guardian’s Luke Harding explains the life and death (and afterlife) of Vladimir Putin’s bravest adversary.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Jesse Alejandro Cottrell, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard with help from Avishay Artsy and Amanda Lewellyn, engineered by Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Rafah, the last “safe” zone Feb 15, 2024

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Palestinians are trapped in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, where about 1.5 million people have sought refuge. After bombings this weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is threatening a ground invasion. Palestinian journalist Aseel Mousa takes us inside Rafah, and the Economist’s Anton La Guardia explains why diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting have stalled.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Kim Eggleston, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Why America loves faerie smut Feb 14, 2024

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Romantasy is the most popular literary genre in America right now. Vulture’s Kathryn VanArendonk and Circana’s Kristen McLean explain why.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Forgetful old men Feb 13, 2024

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Joe Biden’s age and mental acuity are center stage after a Justice Department prosecutor described him as an “elderly man with a poor memory.” Vox reporter Christian Paz explains why Democrats are stuck with him.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Jesse Alejandro Cottrell, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard with help from Avishay Artsy, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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A Tale of Two Chinatowns Feb 12, 2024

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Residents of Philadelphia’s Chinatown have mobilized against plans for a new arena in their backyard. To find out how their concerns might bear out, Today, Explained reporter Miles Bryan heads to DC’s Chinatown, where a similar story played out 30 years ago.

This episode was reported and produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Why Taylor left TikTok Feb 09, 2024

Show notes

Her label, Universal Media Group, pulled its entire catalog off TikTok. The Verge’s Nilay Patel explains why, and author Cory Doctorow says the app’s “enshittification” is inevitable.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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When one (airplane) door opens ... Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

Missing bolts, door panels flying off in midair — and that’s not even on the planes that crashed. The Washington Post’s Ian Duncan and the Wall Street Journal’s Andrew Tangel explain why Boeing is a problem the FAA still hasn’t fixed.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin and Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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The border standoff in Eagle Pass Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

Congress has failed to pass an immigration bill. The House is attempting to impeach Biden’s secretary of homeland security. As Washington flails, a standoff is brewing in Eagle Pass, Texas.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Hady Mawajdeh, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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